Barcelona gear up for Stuttgart

Barcelona will face a tough challenge for its place in the Champions League quarter finals. Barca face Stuttgart in the second leg of their round of 16 tie, in a stellar matchup between Spanish and German powerhouse teams.

Barcelona's players take part in a training session at Camp Nou  stadium in Barcelona, on March 16, on the eve of their 2nd leg round of 16 UEFA Champions League match against VfB Stuttgart.(AFP/Josep Lago)

The tie is balanced at 1-1, but the Catalan giants are favored to advance. They have won eight of their most recent matches against teams from Germany's Bundesliga. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is concerned about captain Charles Puyol's back injury, but the defender has been training separately. Guardiola is sure that his team will be able to defend its Champions League crown in May.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said, "We're going to attack here. We are going to attack. Yes, tomorrow we are going to attack and to prevent them from having the ball, to create as many goal scoring opportunities as possible. Because if we don't do it, we are not going to advance. We won't pass and we'll only have La Liga left."